Layered Double Hydroxide-Polyaniline Nanofibers in Lightweight Aerogels for Bioinspired Flame-Retardant Wood

An increase of the stability of wood in fire is pivotal for its revival as a construction material. Nanotechnology exemplified by surface coating and impregnation has been developed to implement flame-retardant wood with arguable success. Inspired by the design principle of biological cellular structure, we introduced aerogels consisting of layered double hydroxide-polyaniline core- shell nanofibers in wood compartments. The impregnation of a lightweight flame-retardant network integrated the composite wood with excellent nonflammability. We demonstrate that this bioinspired design principle integrating flame-retardancy with the inherent merits of wood can be extended for the development of wood-based, lightweight hybrids with durability and multifunctionality.